Greenfield-Central (3-2) at New Palestine (5-0)
GAME TIME: 7:30 p.m., Kelso Stadium.
COACHES: Adam Sherman, 3-2 in first year at Greenfield-Central. Kyle Ralph, 46-2 in fourth year at New Palestine.
SAGARIN RATINGS: New Palestine, 88.35, 15th overall, third in Class 5A. Greenfield-Central, 48.74, 137th overall, 36th in Class 4A.
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LAST OUTING: Greenfield-Central lost to Shelbyville, 52-31. New Palestine defeated Pendleton Heights, 63-9.
SERIES LAST 30 YEARS: New Palestine, 18-5
NOTES: New Palestine looks to remain undefeated this season as its hosts Greenfield-Central for homecoming. … The Dragons have won 32 consecutive regular-season games and 23 straight Hoosier Heritage Conference games dating back to 2013. … Last week, senior running back DuRon Ford led the New Palestine rushing attack with 228 yards and five touchdowns against Pendleton Heights. … Senior quarterback Gunnar Large threw and ran for more than 100 yards in the win and has proved to be a dual threat in his own right this season after replacing 2016 graduate Alex Neligh. … Greenfield-Central looks to get back on track after a promising start to the season. … The Cougars lost to state-ranked Shelbyville last week in a shootout, 52-31. … Senior Skylar Gary leads the rushing attack with 576 yards and six scores, while classmate Michael Sosnowski has gained 429 yards on the ground and scored four times (four games). … Sosnowski scored twice against the Golden Bears, but the Cougars could not stop Shelbyville’s state-leading aerial attack. …New Palestine is 18-5 against Greenfield-Central in the last 30 years. … The Cougars last beat the Dragons in 2010 in sectional play.
North Decatur (2-3) at Eastern Hancock (3-2)
GAME TIME: 7 p.m., Knarr Field.
COACHES: Steve Stirn, 10-7 in second year at North Decatur, 97-56 in 14th year overall. Jim O’Hara, 23-6 in third year at Eastern Hancock, 110-54 in 15th year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Eastern Hancock, 38.8, 185th overall, 21st in Class 2A. North Decatur, 17.28, 261st overall, 36th in Class 1A.
LAST OUTING: North Decatur lost to Milan, 55-12. Eastern Hancock defeated Knightstown, 26-21.
SERIES LAST 30 YEARS: North Decatur, 7-6.
NOTES: Eastern Hancock escaped Knightstown with a win and its traveling trophy last week. … Luke Splater caught a touchdown from quarterback Jarett Lewis and intercepted a pass on the ensuing Panther possession to seal the win. … The Royals began their season 0-2 but have won three straight since a loss at South Decatur. … Lewis ranks in the top 30 in the state in passing yards with 979. … Running back Devin Denny rushed for 122 yards in the win last week and now has 454 yards and four scores despite a nagging shoulder injury. … Eastern Hancock’s defense, after allowing 72 points in two losses to begin the year, has allowed just 29 points in back-to-back wins. … Spencer Maxwell leads the team with 45 tackles. … A.J. Muegge has scored 66 points for the Royals. … North Decatur was thumped by Milan last week, 55-12. … However, the Chargers did beat Knightstown 21-17 in Week 4. … Junior quarterback Evan Smith has 407 yards and three touchdowns through the air. … Four different North Decatur rushers have over 100 yards this season. … Cory Fasbinder leads the team with 340 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. … Fasbinder also has 188 receiving yards and three scores. … With a win, Eastern Hancock can even the series at seven-all during the past 30 years.
Mt. Vernon (2-3) at Pendleton Heights (1-4)
GAME TIME: 7:30 p.m., Arabian Field.
COACHES: Doug Armstrong, 39-22 in sixth year at Mt. Vernon, 91-78 in 16th year overall. Jed Richman, 1-4 in first year at Pendleton Heights, 36-34 in seventh year overall.
SAGARIN RATINGS: Mt. Vernon, 49.26, 133rd overall, 35th in Class 4A. Pendleton Heights, 43.35, 171st overall, 47th in Class 4A.
LAST OUTING: Mt. Vernon defeated Delta, 20-19. Pendleton Heights lost to New Palestine, 63-9.
SERIES LAST 30 YEARS: Tied, 17-17.
NOTES: Mt. Vernon topped Delta on the road last week, 20-19. … Junior quarterback Zac Montgomery threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the win. … He has 722 passing yards this season and 267 yards and three scores on the ground. … Junior Eric Jones leads the Marauders rush attack with 308 yards. … Junior Damari Gatewood has 223 receiving yards and three touchdowns. … Mt. Vernon began its season 0-2 but has won two of its last three contests. … Senior linebackers Nathan Seifert and Mitch McCarthy have 55 and 52 tackles apiece, respectively. … The overall series is tied at 17-17 over the last 30 years with the Marauders winning 35-7 last year. … The Arabians fell to New Palestine last week, 63-9. … Sophomore Christian Conkling has thrown for 488 yards and four touchdowns to go with four interceptions. … Payton Huth leads the rushing attack with 574 yards and three scores. … Corbin Cox has added 222 yards on the ground. … Three different Pendleton Heights receivers have at least 10 catches. … The Arabians are 0-3 in the HHC while Mt. Vernon is 2-1.
